Ooh, a blue Ball jar! These things are like hen’s teeth to find, which is a real pity because they’re so lovely – I’d love a whole collection of them! As far as I know the blue Ball jars are older than the clear versions, which explains it’s less than perfect condition. The zinc lid is a bit misshapen and corroded, and the glass thread has some chips, but luckily the lid still screws on just fine, so the jar is still perfectly functional.

Dimensions: 18cm tall x 9.5cm in diameter

Price: R145

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While I’d obviously never turn my nose up at a vintage Consol jar, I have to say, I think I prefer Ball jars! The font is that much nicer, and as a rule the jars tend to be a little more curvaceous. Sadly these aren’t the original lids (in fact I think they’re Consol lids!) – Ball jars have thick zinc lids – but these lids work just fine, plus they have the original rubber seals, which although a bit more labour intensive (you have more parts to fiddle with), mean that yo get a tighter seal!

Note: Mint puts up three new items every weekday. The first post goes up at 07h00, the second at 08h00 and the third at 08h30. You can subscribe to our daily email which goes out at around 09h00 by clicking on the pink envelope on the right hand side of the blog

It goes without saying that I’m a big fan of vintage kitchen jars, and Ball jars in particular, but this is an especially nice example, so I’m extra pleased to have found it! For starters it’s in great nick, with its glass lined lid intact and no signs of wear to the jar itself. You can even still make out the embossed ‘Ball’ on the lid, which has normally always been rubbed away. But the main reason that I like this jar is its size – I don’t think that I’ve come across a Ball jar with these exact dimensions before? It’s not quite as large as a standard ‘medium’, but it’s not one of those dinky jars either – it’s somewhere in-between. And it’s because it’s slightly unusual that I like it so much! Now I just have to hope that someone out there agrees with me!

Dimensions: 18cm tall x 9cm in diameter

Price: R130

Note: Mint puts up three new items every weekday. The first post goes up at 07h00, the second at 08h00 and the third at 08h30. You can subscribe to our daily email which goes out at around 09h00 by clicking on the pink envelope on the right hand side of the blog(more…)

Oh how I love my vintage kitchen jars! Seriously aren’t they so lovely to look at? The Ball jars are particularly nice with their unusual metal clasps – I think I’ve only sold a handful of these over the years. They’re not quite as easy to use as a screw-on lid, but I think the hassle’s well worth it! The two smaller jars aren’t nearly as old, although they came from the home of an elderly lady, so they’ve definitely got some age to them. They’re in great condition – their seals are still nice and rubbery and the metal clasps work really well so you have a pretty air-tight seal.

A lovely collection of jars that would look wonderful sitting on your kitchen counter!

Dimensions & Prices:

Tall Ball jar – R130; 19cm tall x 9.5cm in diameter

Short Ball jar – R110; 14cm tall x 9cm in diameter

Small Kilner Jar – R65; 10cm tall x 10cm in diameter

Small Fido jar – R60; 9.5cm tall x 10cm in diameter

Mint puts up four new items every weekday. The first post goes up at 07h00, the second at 08h00 and the third and fourth at 08h30. You can subscribe to our daily email which goes out at around 09h00 by clicking on the pink envelope on the right hand side of the blog(more…)

I don’t think that I’ll ever tire of these vintage kitchen jars, especially the Ball jars with their beautiful raised lettering and thick, chunky lids! I mean really, why would you want to keep your flour, cereal, whatever it is, in their boring old boxes and packets when you can store your food in a super cool jar like this one? And ensure that your food stays fresh for longer? Really it’s a no brainer!

Dimensions: 24cm tall x 11.5cm in diameter

Price: R140

Mint puts up four new items every weekday. The first post goes up at 07h00, the second at 08h00 and the third and fourth at 08h30. You can subscribe to our daily email which goes out at around 09h00 by clicking on the pink envelope on the right hand side of the blog

This vintage Ball jar is a little on the small side, but its takes jars of all sizes to make a good working kitchen, plus it’s such a special little jar, that I wouldn’t really care how big or small it was! The metal latch is a bit corroded from age, and there are some fleabite chips in the glass, but overall it’s not in bad nick at all.

An interesting and very attractive vintage kitchen jar that will look great sitting on your kitchen counter!

Dimensions: 13cm tall x 8.5cm in diameter

Price: R110

Mint puts up four new items every weekday. The first post goes up at 07h00, the second at 08h00 and the third and fourth at 08h30. You can subscribe to our daily email which goes out at around 09h00 by clicking on the pink envelope on the right hand side of the blog